Temporary binder.



N0. 712z,870;- V PRTRNTRD MAR.17,1903.

J. L. c. MUNTAGRR# TEMPORARY BINDER.

APPLICATION ILED JULY 10, 1902.

N0v MODEL.-

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UNITED STATES "PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN L. C. MONTAGUE, OF OHRISTIANSBURG, VIRGINIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE- HALF TO LAURA K. BARNETT, OF OHRISTIANSBURG, VIRGINIA.

TEMPORARY BINDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 722,870, dated.' March 17, 1903.

' Application inea July io. 1902. senti No. 115,087. (N0 model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN L. C. MONTAGUE,

, a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in temporary binders of that class used for holding loose sheets orleaves ofpaper, and particularly to a temporary binder of that type comprising covers and semicircular or archshaped prongs carried by the covers and projecting in opposite directions and adapted to be passed through openings formed in the leaves for retaining the latter in position.

The object of the present invention is to provide a construction of temporary binder in which the holding prongs or devices are so constructed as to admit of the parts thereof being connected to lock the leaves in place, thus preventing their accidental disengagement or removal until such time as it may be desired to remove them for the substitution of other sheets.

With the above and other objects in view the invention consists in certain novel features of construction, combination, and arrangement of parts, which will be hereinafter more fully set forth, and particularly defined in the appendedeclaims.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical transverse section of a temporary binder embodying my invention, showing a number of loose leaves held in position by the fastenings. Fig. 2 is a top plan view showing the covers open to expose the sheets or leaves. Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-section, on an enlarged scale, showing the construction of one of the fastening devices andv mode of mounting the same upon the back of l the cover. Fig. 4 is a similar view, on a still larger scale, of a portion of the locking device shown in Fig. 3, illustrating the locking connection. Fig. 5 is a View similar to Fig. 3, showing a modification in the construction of the holding and locking device; and Fig.

6 is a View of a key employed for releasing the locking mechanism.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the numeral 1 designates the covers of the binder, which are suitably secured to a back 2, to which back is fixed a strip or block 3, forming a support or foundation for the sheet-fastening devices. These fastening devices, of which any desired number may be employed, are arranged at intervals along the strip and consist each, as shown in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, of two hollow or tubular sections 4 and 5 of 'semicircular form and serving as archfshaped .prongs to pass through openings 6, formed in the loose sheets or leaves 7, t'o secure the same in place.

The tubular secti0ns4 and 5 of the fastening are provided at their inner ends with inserted plugs 8 and are pivotally connected by a pin 9, mounted upon a staple 10, which is passed through thestrip 3 and has its ends bent between said strip and the back 2 to hold it firmly against casual withdrawal. By this construction it will be seen that the parts 4 and 5 of the fastening may be opened and closed on the pivot-pin 9 to permit of the insertion or removal of the leaves or sheets '7.

In order to enable the parts of the fastening to be united to prevent removal of the sheets or leaves by an unauthorized person, I provide the same with suitable locking mechanism, that shown inthe present instance consisting of plugs 11 11', inserted in the free ends of the parts of Athe fastening and provided with hooked jaws 12 12', adapted to engage each other when the free ends of the parts of the fastening are brought together to lock said ends against disconnection. As shown in the present instance, the part 5 of the fastening is of reduced size with respect to the part 4, and its free end is thus adapted to enter or telescope within the free end of the part 4, so as to allow the jaws 12 12 to interlock, the jaw 12 or both ofthe jaws, if desired, being formed of resilient material, which will permitthem to interlock and hold them securely against casual disengagement. The section 5 is provided with a keyhole 13 for the insertion of a key 14, such as shown in Fig. 6, which upon being inserted and turned will lift the jaw 12 and release it from IOO engagement with the jaw 12, thus permitting the two .parts 4 and 5 to' be swung outward on their pivot 9 to release the sheets orleaves 7. This construction is modified iu the form shown in Fig. 5, in which the pivotal connection is dispensed with and the fastening device made in the form of a split ring, the free ends of -which are provided with hooked locking-jaws to hold them connected. This ring is hollow or tubular and of sufficient resiliency to allow the ends thereof to spring apart to admit the leaves between them.

As shown, one of the ends of the ring is expanded or enlarged to form a seat 15, into which the opposite end is adapted to enter to bring the hooked jaws into locking engagement. The plugs 8, 11, and ll may be brazed or otherwise suitably secured in place.

In the use of the invention the free ends of the fastenings are released from engagement by unlocking the hooked jaws and springing the ends apart,and then the leaves are brought into place and the ends of the fastenings passed through the openings 6 and then brought together to bring the jaws 12 12 into locking engagement. When this is done, it will be seen that the leaves '7 will be securely fastened in position against casual removal or disengagement and from removal by an unauthorized person, but that Whenever desired the owner or a person provided with a proper form of key may unlock the fastenings and remove the leaves. It will be seen that each form or embodiment of the invention disclosed herein consists of a pair of semicircular or arch-shaped prongs forming a ring for securing the sheets of paper, the free ends of such ring being united by a locking device which prevents their disengagement until operated by the peculiar form of key designed to be employed.

.From the foregoing description, taken in Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a temporary binder, the combination of covers united by a suitable back, sheetfastening devices, each consisting of semicircular tubes, plugs within the inner ends of the tubes, a staple fastened to the back, a pin carried by the staple and passing through the plugs and pivotally uniting said inner ends of the tubes, and means for fastening the outer or free ends of the tubes, substantially as described.

2. In a temporary binder, the combination of covers united by a suitable back, sheetfastening devices, each consisting of semicircular tubes, plugs within the inner ends of the tubes, a staple fastened to the back, a pin carried by the staple and passing through the plugs and pivotally uniting said inner ends of the tubes, and plugs within the outer ends of the tubes, and provided with interlocking keyreleasable fastenings inclosed when the free ends of the tubes are brought together, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witmesses.

JOHN L. C. MONTAGUE.

"Witnesses:

BENJ. E. Cown,

H. B. WILLsoN. 

